Jazz on the Move: Celebrating 100 Years of Jimmy Van Heusen

Sunday, January 20, 2013 7:00 PM

Jazz on the Move: Celebrating 100 Years of Jimmy Van Heusen is in the past.

The Nashville Jazz Workshop kicks off its seventh annual Jazz on the Move series with “Come Fly With Us: Celebrating 100 Years of Jimmy Van Heusen,” a program honoring the 100th birthday of the great composer, one of the most prolific songwriters in American history.

The program takes place in Lipscomb’s Collins Alumni Auditorium on Sunday, January 20 at 3 p.m. Admission is free.

This event will feature performances of Van Heusen’s best loved songs by the Lori Mechem Quartet with Duffy Jackson, Denis Solee, and guest vocalists Jeff Hall and Liz Johnson -- along with a lively and informative biography of the composer written by Ken Roberts and narrated by Don O. Henry.

Jimmy Van Heusen (1913-1990) wrote songs for films, television and theater, and won an Emmy and four Academy Awards. Although his name is not a household word, his songs such as "Swinging on a Star," "Call Me Irresponsible" and "High Hopes" are instantly recognizable as popular standards. He is also revered in the jazz world for compositions such as "Here's That Rainy Day," "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," and "Like Someone in Love." He is most identified with Frank Sinatra, for whom he wrote 85 songs. Most of his compositions were written with lyricist partners Johnny Burke and Sammy Cahn. His string of hits began in 1939 with "Darn That Dream" and continued through the 1970's.

“Come Fly with Us” is one of the many events going on across the country in celebration of this great composer. It is sponsored by Van Heusen Music, the Frist Foundation and Lipscomb University. Representatives from Van Heusen music, including members of the composer's family, will be present for this historic event.

The Nashville Jazz Workshop provides the community with quality jazz education through workshops where jazz professionals pass on their knowledge & experience in a journeyman/apprentice situation, classes for players and non-players and performances to promote community appreciation of jazz.